Milan's success breaks city rivals Inter's five-year winning streak in Italy and draws the clubs level on 18 league titles. Juventus boast the record with 27.

Coach Massimiliano Allegri, recruited to replace Leonardo last summer, took advantage of Inter's slump to lead the table for the majority of the season and a 0-0 draw in Rome on Saturday night ensured they could not be caught.

"It was important to finish this off against Roma, who still have ambitions of fourth place. We played with great concentration to bring the Scudetto to Milan without waiting for next Sunday," Allegri said.

"I have to thank the lads, the president who gave me this chance and this squad with newcomers who behaved impeccably in the locker room. These men have won so many trophies, but they were professionals working for the group. This is why we won the Scudetto.

"To be honest, I still can't believe it! I'm incredibly happy and lucky. I had a great squad at my disposal and there was always respect between players. The best moment was the derby, as that was the right time to break away from Inter. It's just a shame we're not in Milan right now."

Alexandre Pato, who is Milan's joint-leading scorer alongside Zlatan Ibrahimovic
with 14 goals, said: "It's the first time I have won the Scudetto and this is a great day."

Milan veteran midfielder Gennaro Gattuso hailed his coach, adding: "I give a ten out of ten to Allegri. This is a fantastic feeling.''

Defender Alessandro Nesta, meanwhile, believes that the Rossoneri's consistency
was the key to clinching the title. "We have been on top throughout the year,'' Nesta said. "It's normal that we would finish first.''

Milan are still alive in the Coppa Italia and will look to seal safe passage to
the final when they visit Palermo in the return leg this week. They were held to a 2-2 draw in the opening leg at the San Siro.

"This is a beautiful moment,'' Milan midfielder Clarence Seedorf said. "We will now try to bring home the Coppa Italia to complete a perfect year.''

Meanwhile, Palermo warmed up for their Coppa Italia semi-final second leg against Milan on Tuesday by beating Bari 2-1.

Simone Bentivoglio put the already-relegated visitors in front in the seventh minute, but Fabrizio Miccoli brought the home team level before the interval. Cesare Bovo's goal in the 53rd minute earned the Rosanero all three points and they could even afford to miss a penalty through Miccoli but still clinch the win.